Expression of TGF-β1 in peripheral blood from patients with systemic lupus erythematosus and its clinical significance

ObjectiveTo examine the status and clinical significance of serum transforming growth factor (TGF)-β1 in peripheral blood from patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE).

MethodsA total of 56 SLE patients and 35 healthy individuals were recruited into this study.According to the presence of lupus nephritis (LN), the SLE patients were divided into two groups:those with LN and those without LN.The serum levels of TGF-β1 were measured using ELISA.The associations between these measurements and SLE disease activity index (SLEDAI) or other laboratory parameters were analyzed by correlation analysis.

ResultsThe serum TGF-β1 level in the SLE patients with LN was significantly lower than that in the healthy controls (P < 0.05).The serum TGF-β1 level in the SLE patients with lower disease activity was significantly lower than that in patients with higher disease activity (P < 0.05).The serum TGF-β1 level was higher in the patients with arthritis than those without, and was lower in the patients with positive anti-U1RNP or anti-Sm-D1 antibody than those of negative.Correlation analysis showed that the serum TGF-β1 level was not significantly correlated with the SLEDAI score, C3 level, erythrocyte sedimentation rate and C reactive protein (P>0.05), but it was positively correlated with the red blood cell count and negatively correlated with globulin, 24 h urine protein, serum IgM and AST (P < 0.05).

ConclusionsTGF-β1 has a two-way immunomodulatory effect and may be involved in the pathology of kidney and joint in SLE patients.